Wednesday wrap

News, notes and quotes from the Raiders Wednesday following the open locker room session, practice and the post-practice press briefing from coach Tom Cable:

– Let’s get the legal stuff out fo the way first. When asked if there had been any change in the Napa assault investigation involving Randy Hanson and whether he’d been contacted, Cable said, “None from me.”

When asked if he had any comment on the assertion by attorney John McGuinn to the NFL Network that Raiders defensive backs had been contacting Hanson for advice through a borrowed computer, Cable managed a chuckle and said, “No, no. I have no comment on about any of that.”

– After talking about what a great job Bruce Gradkowski was doing as the backup for JaMarcus Russell, was surprised to hear such a soft response from Cable regarding the possibility of bringing back Jeff Garcia.

“We haven’t talked about it at this point,” Cable said. “That’s all I can say right now.”

That’s a long way from, the “No, we’ll move ahead with what we’ve got” answer I expected considering Garcia requested his release.

– There’s showing loyalty to your guys and then there’s, well it’s hard to say exactly what this is.

When asked about what it would take Javon Walker to get on the field, Cable said, “Well, I think right now it would take injuries. We’re about to get Schilens back. You feel like that group has really done some good things and you want to keep that going obviously.”

The group has done some good things and you want to keep that going.

Aside from the eight catches for 138 yards from Louis Murphy, Raiders wide receivers have caught two passes for 46 yards in three games. Todd Watkins has one for 28 yards, Darrius Heyward-Bey the other for 18 yards.

It’s not exactly like he’d be breaking up the lineup of the ’27 Yankees.

Maybe it’s that Walker simply can’t play anymore and that Al Davis doesn’t want to cut a receiver guaranteed $4.6 million this season and next season. Or that he’s simply sticking with the young receivers the same way he’s going with Russell.

But the “good things” haven’t exactly been visible to the naked eye.

– Kickoff returns specialist Justin Miller had a new home on the opposite side of the locker room and a professional outlook regarding his return to a team that sent him packing on the final cutdown day.

Miller averaged 24.8 yards per return and had returned two kickoffs for touchdowns with a long of 92 yards last year. He was even on the field in the secondary when the Raiders beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to close out the season.

He signed a new contract _ but didn’t make the roster.

“That’s the nature of this business,’’ Miller said. “You’ve got to understand how it goes. Sometimes it’s really not about you as a person, it’s just what fits for the team or what the team needs at that point in time. You take it in stride and try to be ready for the next opportunity.’’

– Fullback Oren O’Neal’s take on the “on any given Sunday” philosophy: “Every team in the NFL is an NFL team.”

– Defensvie end Greg Ellis had this to say about how a torrent of pregame enthusiasm means nothing when preceded by a subpar practice effort.

“It’s not anything we can correct five minutes before a football game by jumping around and slapping each other high-fives, yelling and screaming,” Ellis said. “You need that energy but you have to have a foundation with that energy. You start establishing that foundation for the week starting on Wednesday usually.”

Ellis on leadership: “I think it has to be more than one guy. You can have that guy who wants to yell, scream and cuss at other teammates but everybody in the NFL we’re grown men so we can choose how you respond to that firecracker guy if you will. The head coach can yell at you, anybody can yell at you but you as an individual have to take it upon yourself to say, ‘OK, I’m going to receive this stuff and I’m going to use it as a positive.’ ”

– Ellis and Richard Seymour agreed with Nnamdi Asomugha’s contention that last Friday’s practice was a big part of the Raiders downfall against the Broncos.

“I think we had a lot of mental errors. Friday practices aren’t tremendously physical practices. But it’s more of a mental day,” Seymour said. “And I think that’s something we all have to tighten up on if we want to be a good football team.

“You’ve got to be in the right place at the right time. The main thing is, what we want to do is take care of responsibilities and do your job. No one can do my job but me. I can’t go out and do the linebackers’ job, the corners can’t come up and do our job. So if everybody takes care of their own responsibilities, I think we’ll be a much better football team.”

“Hopefully everybody learned and we can go out there today and leading up to this game and be more concentrating in practice and eliminate mistakes,” added Ellis. “Early in the week you expect some mistakes because it’s a new, you don’t change the whole scheme but there’s some new things that coaches tell you, ‘For this team we got to do this.’ Today you can kind of expect some mistakes. But when you get down to Friday you expect for it to be real crisp, not so physical practice just crisp and not making
those mistakes.”

– Count Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson who believes the Raiders to be a warehouse of talent just waiting for a little direction and purpose.

“If they can just get things going in the right direction they’ll be a team to be reckoned with,” Johnson said in a conference call to Bay Area reporters. “ You look at the players on that team, it’s kind of like an all-star team.”

Which is exactly the kind of thinking which could lead the Raiders down the wrong path, Ellis believes.

“We’re not the golden child where we stand out enough talent wise where we can go out there and kind of BS through practice and think we can win,” Ellis said.

– Here is how Seymour, brought in to be a leader, plans to lead:

“ I think you lead by example. I’m not a rah-rah guy coming out and giving speeches. You go out and get the job done by your play in practice, preparation. Cause it’s really two games. It’s the game throughout the week as far as preparation. And then it’s also the game on Sunday. So we want to win both of those battles,” Seymour said. “And if we don’t do a good job throughout the week as far as preparation, then they’ll have the edge on us when it comes to the game. So it’s a process on getting it done, and I think guys are willing to put in that work.”

Seymour doesn’t plan on leading by talking about his previous place of employment.

“Man, I’m not in New England. I’m tired of the New England questions,” Seymour said. “That’s a chapter that’s over and done with, and I’m here as an Oakland Raider now. I’m a Raider, and that’s what it is.”

– Cable gave the Wednesday practice positive reviews.

“Today was excellent. It was tremendous focus,” Cable said. “We got the base plan in, tempo was good, effort was good. Shoot, I think maybe two or three repeats the whole practice so that’s what we’re looking for.”

– Cable was asked if Chaz Schilens returning to action Sunday was a “longshot” and answered yes, then in the next sentence said it was 50-50. Assuming the former unless Schilens is on the field Thursday. Also out are Robert Gallery and Nick Miller, while Hiram Eugene is questionable. Michael Huff did not practice but is expected to play. Mike Mitchell was practricing with his right thumb bandaged. Tyvon Branch had both thumbs wrapped but was not mentioned as being injured.

Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer

Post navigation

texguy Says:
September 30th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
SNB and Einstien – Quit crying like little babies. Every post is wah wah wah. It’s getting old. You want to criticize the team… fine no problem. They deserve it. But wah wah wah all day long. Geez!!
======================================================
Naw boss! Losing 75 games in 6 years is OLD! I am done with blowing sunshine bro. The “wah, wah, wah” is so bad because the problems here are so doggone basic!

Maybe you are cool with “Just Try Baby!” But these guys are supposed to be on the cusp of respectability.

Then they go out and lay these enormous eggs that erase all the progress to date.

Will they get the desire to step up and play to their potential when they visit your neck of the woods.

Or will it be the same ol B.S followed up by media spin from the KSFO crew!

UP LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER

maybe cable should go to JaPoatRoast’s pad and go over opponents on madden 2009 xbox 360

Boss Raider 650

Jamarcus is so inaccurate.
On interception #2 against denver, DHB was open and he threw it over his head to the wrong team. DHB, Murphy and all the other recievers should have some receptions. But as we come to find out, 3 and outs don’t amount to good passing stats.
I have never seen an offense struggle this much.

Einstein

# texguy Says:
September 30th, 2009 at 5:02 pm

SNB and Einstien – Quit crying like little babies. Every post is wah wah wah. It’s getting old. You want to criticize the team… fine no problem. They deserve it. But wah wah wah all day long. Geez!!

———————————————————-

Hey “texgay” suck it azz hat. I can say whatever the fauk I want. You don’t like it, get the fauk out.

JaPotRoast is a loser, and he sucks. How you like them apples? Doesn’t mean I don’t want my team to win.

wah wah wah wah

ragin

Wine and cheese all day long

4evaRaider

I dont think there is 1 happy fan in all the NATION at this time

SnB offense defense specialteams

ragin Says:
September 30th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Wine and cheese all day long
=======================================================
I was cool right up to that Broncos game. It looked just like 2006! It looked just like the Carolina, Atlanta and San Diego II games last year. It looked like 2007.

I know where the team is. IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK TO AT LEAST GET PROFESSIONAL EFFORT!

Or do we just sit back and be happy that the team played today!

SnB offense defense specialteams

I want to hear something about the Raiders correcting these GLARING WEAKNESSES!

Not just…”well we had a great practice” blah, blah, blah…….

Is the defense right?

Is the passing game right?

How about ball security?

Or is all that a secret too!

Mistabrown

Schilens isnt ready and leave J Walker inactive ?

Brilliant! That way you can say JaMeatloaf was working with rookies and a WR with a broken foot…..doofus!

Start JLH and Schilens with Murphy in the slot.
=======================================================
Season is on the line this week bro

Mistabrown

SnB,
Do you smoke alot of pot or are you just naturally brain dead ?

4evaRaider

4evaRaider Says:
September 30th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I dont think there is 1 happy fan in all the NATION at this time

And I dont think there is 1 person that is happy about the problems we are still incurring like time problems 4an example

Nothing,not even the web page is working in correctly in Raider-Land

UP LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER

we must stop financing this team !!!!!!!! we all have enough hat’s and shirts to last a few years while we let al d’s money run out

9.50 a beer plus parking plus tickets man phuk that.

sign up for direc t.v have it installed wait one month call them tell them you were moved by work to los angeles and you moved and installed your dish yourself (give them a made up adress in L.A. ( they dont check trust me i know) sign up for paperless billing and pay online. with that you can order the sunday ticket and not be subject to the blackouts.

Mistabrown Says:
September 30th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
SnB,
Do you smoke alot of pot or are you just naturally brain dead ?
=======================================================
Don’t do drugs….

But 6+ years of 75 losses and counting is probably having the same effect……especially as I go back and accept more punishment the next week.

Just give me a good freekn effort..that’s all!

SnB offense defense specialteams

4evaRaider Says:
September 30th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I dont think there is 1 happy fan in all the NATION at this time
=======================================================
There shouldn’t be! If your kid came back with all C’s and D’s…you’d be upset….

This team erased all of the goodwill it built up with an utterly familiar and hopelessly pathetic effort last week.

They aren’t getting better…and that’s the problem

SnB offense defense specialteams

Tell Russell to watch Flacco

Tell DMAC to watch Chris Johnson

Tell DHB to watch Johnny Knox

and tell the defense to go watch the Vikings….

SnB offense defense specialteams

On a positive note:

Mario Henderson is the man! Way to step up your game kid. Locking down that LT position. At least one IMPORTANT position is locked down. Keep it up! Good move hiring Rosenhaus….after watching all these other guys get the money…you definitely deserve a slice…especially given that the coaches didn’t want to give you a chance at all!

ottocrat

Now that the Lions have won, the Raiders may be the worst team in the league.

Would have been nice to bring in a Parcells type person in the front office like Al said he was considering on doing. Mr. Davis, its not too late…you are a couple of moves away from something decent. Just suck up some of that pride, man. Get rid of the stink, and bring back the funk. Hell, bring back Gruden, or even Gannon. Talk about commitment to excellence, Gannon practically led the Raiders to their last Superbowl. Lord know Callahan didn’t do sh%t. Have him as GM.

ragin

Worst then the browns? Then the chiefs? Then the dolphins? Then the jags? Should I go on? There is light at the end I can see it..,

chiliwakt

This team regressed because we have a QB by the name of JaPhillySteakandCheese that would rather eat and play Xbox 360 than work like every other NFL Qb. Cut and dry, black and white, plain and simple.

Well wouldn’t you with all that guaranteed money coming to him??? Hundred dolla bills yall!!!

ottocrat

I know what you’re saying Ragin, but at least those organizations can have a reasonable expectation of turning things around at some point. If not this year, then some point in the future. Can we really say that about the Raiders?

http://www.car.org KoolKell

SnB

I feel your frustration, bro.

You must have come to the certain conclusion, that this won’t get better until Davis is GONE, period.

That sick organization destroys young players.

Plunketthead

We need to introduce Jamarsbar to Jared from Subway

ragin

this is a different team….

Einstein

Nobody plays fantasy football with JaPotRoast Krappy. Can’t blame the “white” Al Davis for the lack of skills of the “black” Qb.

We can all see what you are getting at. Just say it you racist pig.

JaPotRoast SUCKS Krappy Kell. Plain and simple, black and white. Blame Al you want, just another “white” man putting down the “black” man right Krappy? It’s all Al Davis fault that JaMarsBar SUCKS.

http://www.car.org KoolKell

No way Mike Singletary would be allowed to do his thing in Oakland, like he’s doing in SF.

No way any Coach in Oakland is allowed to develop anything organically in the locker-room between players and coaches. The stuff that produces fidelity, and emotional investment, esprit d’ corp. All the shyt that’s lacking in Oakland. All because Al Davis is shining the light on himself. Up in his office playing fantasy football with the Raiders.

STILL…no one can explain how this team regressed so much from the week 1 game.

Other than everyone got lazy and thought the season was a breeze and the stupid coach went along with it…probably practicing celebrating TDs.
======================================================

# Oakglenn Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

# The Real MaddenRaider Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 4:42 pm

Oakglenn, face it. The team is not focused anymore. That’s all I saw watching the stream last night. I’m seeing a different team than I saw in the previous two weeks. Different level of intensity. Note: We looked like a new team until this Davis/Gannon fiasco. Suddenly, we look like the old Raiders, on BOTH sides of the ball. Think the Gannon distraction, unnecessarily created by Davis, had any effect on practice the previous week?
=================================================

MR yes and no. I think you are right about the team not being focused. (you know, I don’t ever think I’ve called you right before.) Just kidding. They did NOT have good days of practice on Thurs and Fri. I don’t think the Gannon fiasco had anything to do with it. I think they played a very poor game in KC and still won. They then thought they could just sleep walk thru a Denver team poised for a fall. Well, that doesn’t happen in the NFL. Denver came out focused and determined to beat our ass. And they did. Soundly. They say that losses motivate teams more than wins. Let’s hope that’s the case this week.
==============================================

Here’s Greg Ellis and Nnams take:
Ellis and Richard Seymour agreed with Nnamdi Asomugha’s contention that last Friday’s practice was a big part of the Raiders downfall against the Broncos.

“I think we had a lot of mental errors. Friday practices aren’t tremendously physical practices. But it’s more of a mental day,” Seymour said. “And I think that’s something we all have to tighten up on if we want to be a good football team.
======================================================

Believe me now??

http://www.car.org KoolKell

Einstein

You’ve got serious problems.

Einstein

Interesting comparison Krappy Kell. Considering the coach in SF is “black” and the coach in Oakland is “white”. Hmmmm, you are so clever. So basically you are saying Al wouldn’t let a “brutha do his thang”? Guess that counts out Art Shell and even Tom Flores?

Einstein

You are so transparent Krappy Kell it’s almost laughable, and sad at the same time. You have a very bitter life. It’s always the “man’s” fault. You didn’t get yours because of “the man”. You are one of those excuse makers…. Always an excuse for everything when the obvious is slapping you in the face.

HawK

Einstein,
While I don’t necessarily agree with the fact that JaMarcus is done, your new names for him every post have me rolling. That is some funny stuff.

wswalnutraider

Would someone please tell Russell that this is his LAST chance. Give number 5 the ball and a shot to take his job. He looked good in preseason and we need a new leader cause Russell SUCKS!!

JB

# KoolKell Says:
September 30th, 2009 at 6:37 pm

No way Mike Singletary would be allowed to do his thing in Oakland, like he’s doing in SF.

No way any Coach in Oakland is allowed to develop anything organically in the locker-room between players and coaches. The stuff that produces fidelity, and emotional investment, esprit d’ corp. All the shyt that’s lacking in Oakland. All because Al Davis is shining the light on himself. Up in his office playing fantasy football with the Raiders.
**********************
Nicely said. Unfortunately, for us the fans, it’s also very true. AD has no respect for coaches. They are just an administrative necessity. This is why we will never have a quality HC because they wouldn’t put up with AD’s meddling. The one exception was Gruden who always said yes sir and then went and did it his way in spite of AD. As long as he kept winning he could keep playing that game. Gruden is probably the only qualified HC that might consider coming back here. He’s knows how to play AD and AD knows Gruden might be able to get him back to the promised land before it’s time for him to check out. I’d definitely be open to having Gruden back. Somehow I don’t think JaBeefRoll’s a$$ would ever be the same. That might be what it will take to have him step up.

HeadLine might read: CHUCKIE INSTRUCTS JR ON HOW TO REMOVE HEAD FROM POSTERIOR. JR NOW SEES THE LIGHT.

We got a healty Pro Bowl receiver making $4.6 mil and a minimum wage 7th rounder hurt. And we are doing what now? I’m telling you, we should start the game like this:

If we win coin flip we should defer and send Jano out. Let the defense set the tone.

Then when JaMinkCoat does his first 3 and out we bench him for Gradkowski.

SnB offense defense specialteams

When you have a team that is even “considering” guys named Garcia, Gradkowski and Frye as the savior….your screwed!

SnB offense defense specialteams

The Raiders are the only franchise where players appear to quit

SnB offense defense specialteams

or players get lazy, overweight, can’t hold the ball, dysfunctional and all that stuff.

Question: At what point do the Raiders coaches and front office get tired of this shhhhh?

Why is it that Singletary can take a team of average players and make them play over their talent level….or a guy like Harbaugh can turn a DII QB into a superstar?

I am so sick of this shhhhhhhhhhh

Einstein

The thing about this game for JaKrispy Kreme is that this is a break NOT make game for him. If he still sucks, which he will, the he just continues to suck. But, on the other hand (which I’m sure he has a doughnut in both) if he wins, he will need to put together another 12 solid games in order to be successful. Either way, JaWeinerschnitzel has buried himself a hole I don’t think King Kong could climb out of.

SnB offense defense specialteams

Mistabrown,

I watch a lot of NFL football. I like to follow good stories and see talent rise to the top.

I don’t live in the Bay area, so I don’t share your intense hatred for all things 49ers.

I only care about Denver, K.C and San Diego….of which we are 1-2 and playing uninspired lazy…bullsh9ooo football.

I admire Singletary, Rex Ryan, Mike Smith and Jim Harbaugh have done for their teams.

I just wish I could see some of that here!

Einstein

SnB that is a good plan. BUT until we can pass, which we cant with JaIn’n'Out burger, teams are going to put 8 in the box, which makes it difficult for any team to run against. Every team will force JaPopeye’s chicken to beat them, which he can’t. But I bet he can put down a few buckets of chicken!!

SnB offense defense specialteams

Oakland fans are the only ones that could legitimately put their hopes in retreads and also-rans and actually expect a positive result.

If Russell fails…go pick up a QB that is from a Northern state or USC

Einstein

Im talking in the past which is actually in the future. This blog is new wave…

When you have a team that is even “considering” guys named Garcia, Gradkowski and Frye as the savior….your screwed!
===================================================

I don’t think “the team” is considering those guys as the saviour, “the team” knows better. It’s the dummass fans that want those other guys. And just for reference the last regular season game Gradkowski started, the 08 Finale against Pittsburgh he was 7 for 21 for 26 yards and THREE PICKS!! Maybe some of those dummass “fans” should just shut the fook up.

SnB offense defense specialteams

Keys to victory:

1. Run the football -pound it all game-
2. Defense has to stop the run and blanked Daniels and Johnson….need to pressure the QB
3. Start Michael Bush
4. Start Chaz Schilens
5. Start Johnnie Lee Higgins
6. Play Murphy and Walker